Council on Korean Studies

The Council on Korean Studies at Michigan State University is dedicated to promoting Korea and stimulating interest in Korea among the people of Michigan and the United States. We support Korean Studies Program at MSU by providing endowed scholarships and organize Korea-related academic and cultural programming. The Global Korea Award, established in 1995, is our annual event to recognize individuals or groups who have significantly contributed to cross-cultural understanding, global connection, and promoting Korea on a global stage.

There are approximately 300 students of Korean ethnic background, including international students from Korea and Korean American students, enrolled at MSU. There are about 80 full-time faculty, academic specialists and staff of Korean ethnic background. There are about 20,000 residents of Korean background in the State of Michigan, including both foreign- and US-born Korean Americans, and adopted children.

In addition to the growth of the Korean population, there have been linkages established with universities in Korea and an increase in flows of goods and services (trade) between Korea and the state of Michigan. 

It is our aspiration that the Council on Korean Studies helps to support various activities among Korea, Michigan State University, the State of Michigan, and the U.S.A. As Korea plays an increasingly important role in the political, economic and cultural realms of Asia and the world we see a growing need for the Council to serve as a hub to mobilize collective power of Korean presence.

The main objectives of the Council on Korean Studies is to:

• Promote Korea among the people of Michigan and the United States.

• Establish important networks of information about Korean society and cultures.

• Sponsor exchange programs between Korea and the United States, including artists, writers, natural and social scientists.

• Provide an institutional support base for various programs on Korean Studies at MSU and at other U.S. universities.

• Encourage graduate and undergraduate education on Korea as promising outreach programs.
  
  

The aim of Council on Korean Studies at Michigan State University is to support two prime endeavors of higher education: to encourage diversity and to build global linkages.